Gathering machine



Nov. 2 1926.

K. M. ANDERSON GATHERING MACHINE sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5 1925 kw. NQ.

Nov. 2 1926.,

K.M.ANDERSON GATHERING MACHINE Filed Oct.

5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 f gwuentgyo /C/l Hada/:sm

Nov. 2 1926.

K. M. ANDERSON .GATHERING MACHINE 5 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct.

Patented Nov. Z, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KOSCIUSKO M. ANDERSON, LOMETA, TEXAS.

GATHERING MACHINE.

Application filed. October 5, 1925. Serial Nro. 60,426.

Another object of the invention is to incor-` porate in the apparatus, a receptacle for containing the picked crop and to be suspended from a weighing mechanism whereby the quantity is ascertained by weight.

A further. object of the invention is to provide means for horizontally adjusting the apparatus to various widths of rows and also means for vertically adjusting the same for plants ofdilierent heights. A still further object .ofthe invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described having self-driving means for the diiferent parts, which will actuate as it is propelled along the rows.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will bemore readily understood from a reading of the nfollowing speciicatio-n and by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: n

Fig.l l is a front elevationof a gathering machine constructed in' accordance withmy invention,

Fig. 2 'is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail showing they vertical axle adjusting mea-ns,

` Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectionalview of the axle parts, Fig. 6 is a detail of the take-up of the driving mechanism,

Fig..7 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a cross'fsec'tion taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1,l j

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on ,the line 9 9A of. Fig. 3, l

Fig. 10 isa plan view of a portion of the conveyorbelt, and Fig. 11` is an underside detail of the conveyor frame mounting. j

Abeam 13 to which they are fastened.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates the receptacle frame having reach bars 11 extending forwardly and reach bars 12 extendingdownwardly across to aV transverse The bars are spaced apart and form supports for a middle conveyor frame 14. Draft bars 15 extend forwardly from the beam 13 and the front ends carried by a front or guide wheel 16. Suitable seats 17 are provided on the bars for the workmen and may be adjusted either vertically or horizontally as may be desired. However it is to be understood that the seats are not a necessary part of the invention which may be used with or withoutl same.

End conveyor frames 18 may be moved inward or outward as shown in dotted lines (F ig. l) thus providing horizontal adjustment for ,differentv wid-th rows. The frames are supported at their lower portion by means of slidable bearingsl-Q on aA bar 2()vv which is fastened to the beam 13 by means of fbrackets'2l. The upper portions of thev is journaled Va transverse shaft 24 on which mounted drums 25. An endless conveyor maybe made of any suitable material and has a plurality of right angular strips 28 which have vupwardly directed teeth 29.

`l`=hese teeth are provided for holding the crops more securely when they are picked Iand thrown onto the conveyor. An idler 30 is provided underneath the conveyor frame to take up any slack in the conveyor belt.

` A receptacle A31y is suspended inthe frame 10 by Yrneansof any suitable weighing mech- 'is supported by means of standards 35 fastened to the frame 10.y Another hook 32a is engaged with a suspension frame 31 The beam has a hook 32" which is fastened to the receptacle. A weight 32h is placed on. the beam 32 and may be moved along to equalize the balance. A. door 36 is provided in the rear side ot' the receptacle for emptying the same. 4

For the raising'or `lowering of the machine Y in accordance with the height of the crop being picked and also to get a horizontal adjustment of the ground wheels according to the width or' the furrows, a novel construction of the axle is devised in which a transverse hollow axle 37 is rotatably confined and held against longitudinal displacement in bearing boxes, 44, secured to the underside oi the 'trame l0. A. crank axle 38 is mounted in each end of the axle 37 and supported in the hub 39 of ground wheels 39.

For horizontal adjustment of the wheels a key 4l is riveted in an internal groove 42 in the axle 37 and received in a corresponding groove 43 in the crank axle 38. It will be readily seen that by this arrangement the crank axle cannot rotate without the axle 37. i-lowever it may be moved in or out as shown in dotted lines (Figs. l and For vertical adjustment ot the apparatus hand levers 40 are riveted to the axle 37 and extend vertically (normal position) on each side of the frame 10. By pulling the lever forwardly as is shown in dotted lines (Fig. 4) the axle 37 will turn causing the crank axle to do likewise. As the crank axle is offset from the end mounted in the axle 87 and the hub portion, it is obvious that by traveling on an arc greater than the circumference of the axle the entire apparatus will raise. The desired height may be maintained by releasing the pivoted hand grip 45 which is under the tension of the spring 46. ris this is done the plunger 47 will engage with one of the teeth 48, of the locking segment 49 which is mounted to the side of the trame 10.

A For driving the various parts a sprocket 50 is made. integral with the hub 39 of the ground wheel. The sprocket drives an endless chain l having its upper end passing around a smaller sprocket 52. This sprocket is-made integral with a gear 53 meshing with another gear 54 mounted on the shaft Q4.

It will be seen that as the machine is drawn along, the ground wheels 39 will cause the chain 51 to travel and drive the gears thereby causing the conveyor to move in a counter-wise direction to the ground wheels.

To compensate for the various positions Yand locations of the sprocket 52 due to the vertical0 adjustment means the sprocket is mounted on an arm 55 whose end is fastened on the shaft 24. The opposite end of the arm is bent downward and has a iilllliiiiiilullwwwaimuituw coiled spring 56 fastened to it at one end and to an upright post 57 at the other'. The travel ot' the sprocket 52 will be on the same arc. to the shaft 24 as the sprocket 50 will be to the axle. lt is obvious by this arrangement as the spring 56 holds the chain taut there will be equal distance and tension on. the chain regardless ot' the positions of the different parts.

ln using the apparatus the desired height is obtained by adj usting the lever 40 which places the apparatus in condition for the particular height of the crop. The width et the rows is then ascertained and the crank axles pulled out accordingly. The apparatus is attached to suitable power such as animal or tractor and drawn along the rows of crops. As the apparatus is moved along the drums will be put into action thereby causing the conveyors to carry the crops upwardly and discharged into the receptacle as they are picked and thrown onto the conveyor belt. It is obvious that the workman may either ride or walk while the crops are beingpicked.

A s the crops are discharged into the receptacle they may be weighed at any time or may have a predetermined. set weight which will register when the particular weight has been reached. It is to be understood that various changes and modifications as well as alterations may be made in the driving connection and the arrangement of the different parts as described and illustrated. within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a gathering machine, trame, a plurality of vertically inclined spaced elevating conveyors mounted upon a fixed support on the frame, means for adjusting said conveyors laterally and relatively to each other upon said support, and a container disposed at the delivery from said conveyors.

2. In a gathering machine, a portable frame, a support projected forwardly therefrom and Acarrying a cross bar, a plurality of conveyor frames slidably mounted for horizontal adjustment upon said bar and provided with a hopper at their lower ends, endless belts mounted to travel within the conveyors, and a container disposed at the delivery from said belts,

3. In a gathering machine, a portable trame, a support projected forwardly therefrom and carrying a cross bar, a plurality of conveyor frames slidably mounted for 4horizontal adjustment upon said bar and provided with a hopper at their lower ends, endless belts mounted toV travel within the conveyors, a bar carried by the upper portion of the portable frame, a plate intermediate the belt reaches, a bearing on said plate horizontally adjustable on the trame a portable bar, and a container disposed at the delivery from said belts,

In a gathering` machine, a portable frame, a support projected forwardly therefrom, a plurality of vertically inclined spaced conveyors mounted upon the frame and support, means for adjusting aid conveyors laterally and relatively to each other upon said support, a container disposed at the delivery from said conveyors, means for driving said conveyor, ground wheels for the portable frame having means for elevating' the frame thereon, and a power connection for maintaining` a constant driving' connection between the conveyor and wheels.

In a ,gathering machine, a portable frame, a hopper carried at the front thereof, a vertically inclined conveyor extending from the hopper, a container below the upper end of the conveyor and provided with a discharging closure, and a weighing device supported by the frame above said container and from which the container is suspended free from contact with the frame.

6. In a gathering machine, a frame, ground wheel hubs having sprockets secured thereon, .means for adjusting said wheels relative to the frame, an endless chain extending' from said sprocket, a conveyor having a driving shaft and gear, a sprocket wheel and gear meshing` with the drive shaft gear, an arm pivoted on said shaft and supporting said sprocket and gear, and a tension spring for elevating said arm.

7. In a gathering machine, a portable frame, a vertically inclined conveyor mounted thereon, axles and wheel support- .ingr said frame and adjustable laterally thereof, a hopper at the lower portion of said conveyor, a front arch beam carrying a guide wheel support, a drive shaft journalled in the upper portion of the frame for said conveyor, a sprocket adjustable horizontally on said shaft, a sprocket upon one of said adjustable axles and having a chain connection with the .first mentioned sprocket, and a container disposed at the delivery from the conveyor.

8. In a gathering` machine, a portable frame, a plurality of elevato-r conveyors having` slidable bearings secured to the underside thereof, bars mounted on the frame and a beam upon which the bearings slide, and bracketssecuring said bars to the frame and beam.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

Kosciusiio u. ANDERSON.v 

